Orange Hunt Elementary School

6820 Sydenstricker Road

School District

Fairfax County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Fairfax County Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 21, 2024

We lived in VA for 5 years as a retired military turned federal government family. Therefore, we have spent time in many school districts so have several with which to compare it. OH and FCPS in general are highly rated but by far our least favorite, for several reasons. FCPS is an agenda-pushing pressure-cooker in a community where everyone thinks they and their child are special. Of course your kid is special. But they don't have to be able to say they're in AAP or go to TJ to make it so.My middle child was in the German immersion program, which, after the retirement of the founder of the program, seems to have gone downhill, and fast. I'm underwhelmed by the program and while I'm a big proponent of foreign language learning in general, feel like the curriculum set my daughter back a couple of years. Add COVD on top of that and it was a disaster. She had more than 30 kids in her kindergarten class. Her reading suffered as a result. They push word problems in 2nd grade at OH so if you're having a hard time reading, it has a domino effect that touches on literally all of the kid's coursework. But anytime I would mention it, I was brushed aside, because she wasn't *that* bad. She wasn't "bad" enough to warrant any extra help but trust me, it was an issue. One that quickly got addressed when we inevitably moved again to another district.The school itself seems to have a Heisman-trophy-style approach to parents. You aren't welcome in the building, ever. My older daughter for some reason didn't want to use the bathroom inside the school the first week of school in kindergarten. So, she wet herself several times. I would bring in clean dry clothes and was getting to know the nurse a little since it was happening (too) often. The front office staff was blunt and rude and you couldn't spend 2 minutes in the school without getting the heave-ho. I understand safety is a concern, but I work in a school elsewhere now and it can be done without driving your parents away.The playground may as well be a prison yard house with kids making license plates or breaking rocks with a hammer. It's too small and there is a rule for every rule. No tag. No chasing. No laughter. Ok, I kid, but the no tag is legit. When I drive up to my children's new school, with its before-school recess on a wide field with multiple play areas, the principal waving at the parents and hugging all of the students, I think, now this is what a school community should be. OH lacks all of that.
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2023

My son has attended OH for two years. We have loved all of the teachers he has encountered and they have really helped our son to become a motivated learner. With that said, I wish the administration were a little more engaged with families. It feels as though we aren’t welcome to come to the school, and there a very few non-military events that parents can attend. It would be great to involve the community more. The school is in such a great location to really invite parents in to be a part of their child’s education. Another thing I don’t love to hear, are the stories my son comes home telling. It seems like there are quite a few disruptive students in his classes and not a lot is done about the disruption to learning. While I recognize my child may be exaggerating, I’ve heard from families around the neighborhood who have similar experiences with their kids saying the same. It’s a little cause for concern that kids get to disrupt the class and be disrespectful to teachers and nothing is done about it. The German Immersion program is great too, however, students who are not part of the program lack enthusiasm for that specials.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2023

Post covid academics are marginal and student engagement has declined. There is not sufficient enrichment offering for those who need it. Communication from the school is marginal at best. It is hard to find out what is going on at OH. OHES’s military connection is too much. Orange hunt very much prides itself in a military identity as other commenters noted, at the expense of everyone who is not part of the military community or mindset. Even “spirit week” is based on a military theme. OHES is not a DOD school and should not be run like one. The German program and elementary language instruction is a unique asset to the school that sets OH apart, but is a major missed opportunity for the school to shine, with the over emphasis on military. As a positive, teachers are generally passionate and engaged. We’ve had great experiences with our children’s classroom teachers.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2022

We've had 2 kids go through this school in the past 8 years. When we first arrived, we we impressed by the welcoming atmosphere. The principal was engaged - he seemed to know every student's name and what they were up to - and this trickled down to his staff. There was little bullying, and the students seemed engaged. There were quarterly assemblies to recognize student achievement and parents were encouraged to attend and be a part of the school community.In the past five years, we've seen a change of administration and a huge change in environment. The new principal is fond of saying that OHES has the 2nd highest concentration of military families outside of Ft. Belvoir. My kids have commented that since we're not a miliary family and they're not in the German Immersion program, they "don't count" at OHES. There are no longer assemblies, no student government, no recognition -- the students have little to strive for and bad behavior is noticably worse. Since COVID, there have been few opportunities for parent engagement; Room Parents and Field Days are now the exception, rather than the rule. The school is woefully overcrowded; there are trailers taking up much of the playground that house an entire grade, and kids are relegated to the bus loop on alternating days for recess since the playground is overcrowded. There are a handful of teachers who honestly don't seem to even like children, but there are just as many wonderful educators who go above and beyond for the kids at OHES. I hope they'll stick around! It's a shame it is no longer the great neighborhood school it once was.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2022

COVID really showed the schools true colors. Teachers put kids second, prioritized working from home even when it longer made sense.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2022

I've been happy with 2 students here. They're very different learners and both have been engaged, encouraged, and challenged. I also have had a child at Sangster, and think Orange Hunt does a better job fostering community. (Sangster likes to remind you how awesome they are...but that's just because they have the Advanced Academic kids from Orange Hunt + 2 other schools in their building.) I don't know why Great Schools rating is lower for Orange Hunt. Maybe because we have so many kids? This school is great. You'll be lucky if your kids go here
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2021

Great community school! Has really done so much for the community during a typical school year and during covid.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2020

We have had 2 kids go through this school and it has served them well. Our kids came from a school system overseas and were quickly caught up with the American school system. Both kids are excelling and our 7th grader just completed 2 high school level classes with A's after finishing his 3 years at OHES.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2020

We had three children attend Orange Hunt. The two oldest I had zero complaints about the school and it was a great experience. The youngest one, we are pulling out in 1st grade and moving to a different neighborhood. With the new principal that came on a few years ago the quality of education and atmosphere of the school has diminished. I can no longer recommend this school to friends moving to this area.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2018

Overall it is a very good school. The teachers generally demonstrate patience and caring as well as hard work in teaching and shaping their little minds. I would recommend OHES to friends and neighbors. The local Cub Scout troop is awesome as well.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2018

It's our second year at OHES; we love it. The teachers are passionate and caring and the Principal has some great, fresh new ideas. We love everything about this school.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2018

We have been at OHES for two years and have been happy with the school. We came from overseas, so there was a signifanct adjustment for my kids, but the teachers handled their introduction into the school system with kindness and patience. Our kids have been very happy there and look forward to going to school in the morning!
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2017

This school embodies what every school should ---the kids want to go to school, they want to learn. This is what Elementary school is all about ---teaching them the desire to want to learn.
Submitted by other on January 12, 2017

This is our second year and we are very happy. All of the teachers my daughter has had so far are very experienced and some have been at the school for many years. My daughter is in the German immersion program and absolutely loves it. My experiences with the office staff have been fine. Great school
Submitted by other on May 26, 2016

My daughter is finishing up her third year at Orange Hunt and I can't say enough good things about the school. The principal is very engaged and deeply committed to the school and the children. The kids love and respect him. We have had great teachers so far. There is a deep sense of community and it shows during school activities. We are not in the German program, but I've heard great things about it from other parents. Looking forward to more years at OHES!
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2015

We relocated to Springfield and chose the Orange Hunt area in part due to the high ratings/reviews. In hindsight, I wish I had access to more personal experiences, opinions, and information about the school. Another post here speaks of Orange Hunt having a strange vibe, and that is an accurate description of my feelings as well. I believe students receive a more-than-adequate education geared towards passing end-of-year state SOLs, and my child did quite well academically, but there is little done to inspire education in creative ways beyond basics. My child was bored with a monotonous weekly routine. Educational field trips are essentially nonexistent. Teachers seem to be uninspired to be creative. Students are required to sit at a lunch table with their homeroom classmates rather than being able to sit with friends in other classes. This is an example of a diminishing enjoyment of school during noninstructional hours. There is a large grassy field, but games of tag and soccer are prohibited, so even recess is throttled back. The FCPS 24-7 Learning site is rarely updated by teachers.On the last day of school, I saw my child’s homeroom teacher and said “hello.” The teacher looked at me and didn’t say a word. I chalked it up to her not having a clue who I was. That's how disconnected it felt the whole year. Even if the teacher didn't know I was the parent of one of her homeroom students, a courtesy response is good manners. There were at least two other occasions that were equally as odd with the teacher. The vibe at the school is different . Orange Hunt is our child’s 4th elementary school, so I have a basis from which to make comparisons. I volunteered once to help with an event and was rudely spoken to numerous times throughout the day by the coordinator (who is part of the PTA). I got the feeling there is clique of folks in the PTA and newcomers are not entirely welcomed.In hindsight, I'd say this school just wasn’t a great fit given our prior experiences at other schools and the expectations that this school would be comparable. Our child did well academically, and if that's all you are looking for, then you'll probably find that your needs will be met. The overall school experience for our child and our connection with the teachers, school, and PTA was a real bust.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2015

Orange Hunt is a wonderful place to learn! Students are nurtured, challenged, and have an excellent environment in which to learn. Having access to the German program, whether through immersion or weekly instruction, is a wonderful opportunity! I have worked as an elementary school specialist in several other area elementary schools and Orange Hunt is one of the best. The teachers, administrators, and families in the community provide a wonderful place to learn and grow.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2015

We are very happy with the academic and social environment at Orange Hunt Elementary School. Orange Hunt has a strong sense of community and we are pleased that we chose to purchase a home in this school district.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2015

Orange Hunt is WONDERFUL! My children are academically challenged and enriched daily (we are not in the German program) by EXCELLENT educators who are top in their field. In addition, the office staff is delightful and helpful. My children love going to school every day and my oldest was very prepared for the AAP Center in 3rd Grade. We have no complaints about the quality of instruction, and school environment, at Orange Hunt. What a great place for kids!
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2015

Orange Hunt is a wonderful place for children to learn and grow! The staff is fantastic, students are delightful and the community is very supportive. I cannot say enough positive things about my children's teachers and appreciate their dedication. The school has an excellent balance of rigor, differentiation and creativity. Orange Hunt gets an A+ from our family!